Review: Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer

My Thoughts:
A gripping historical romance about young love betrayed, second chances, trust and forgiveness... All neatly wrapped in a story that takes place in 1815.

Olivia was the vicar's daughter, and she managed to catch the eye of Jack Wyndham, the Earl of Gracechurch. Against his family's wishes, the couple is married, and seem to be living blissful lives together... Until accusations of gambling and unfaithfulness tear them apart and create a huge scandal.

Now five years later, Olivia is working for Lady Kate, a duchess, when she stumbles upon the body of her ex-husband amid the wounded and dead on the battlefield, except he is wearing a French uniform. Hoping to save him, she switches his uniform for an English one and takes him back to Lady Kates to see if he will survive to explain what he was doing on the battlefield.

Jack survives, but suffers from amnesia and can't explain his appearance or how he came to be in possession of a letter from Napoleon to General Grouchy. With the question of being a traitor hanging over him, Olivia and her new friends don't know who they can trust.

Filled with adventure, intrigue and romance, this book is quite a page-turner. I loved it, especially as it provided a more serious, almost dark edge to the historical romance as opposed to the normal light-hearted stories I am so used to. Even better? It looks like this book will be followed by the story of Grace and Neville... This looks like a promising new series for historical romance fans.

Barely a Lady (Book 1, Drake's Rakes)
by Eileen Dreyer
Publisher: Forever (July 1, 2010) ~ 432 pages
Fiction / Romance / Historical Romance

Edition Reviewed: ARC - Review copy received courtesy of the publisher, many thanks to both the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review!

Perfect for : Personal Use

About the Book:

Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

Excerpt:

About the Author: (from the publisher's site)

USA Today best-selling author Eileen Dreyer has won five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame.

Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.

Eileen also writes as Kathleen Korbel and has over three million books in print worldwide.

Born and raised in Missouri, she lives in St. Louis County with husband Rick and her two children. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the glare of the limelight.

Giveaway: Win $30 Gift Card in the Kroger Pound for Pound Challenge

I love to watch reality shows! They are generally very entertaining and inspiring, and often teach me something, so I was very excited when I got the opportunity to participate in this Spark with Kroger and MyBlogSpark in the promotion of the Pound for Pound Challenge. Read below for details:

From Kroger's Family of Stores & General Mills via MyBlogSpark: You’ve seen the Biggest Loser on TV, watched contestant’s struggles and achievements, and may have even thought, “Hey, I can do that!” Instead of waiting for the BBQs to be over and your schedule to open up, put all excuses aside and make a pledge to live healthier with the Pound For Pound Challenge.

The Kroger Co. Family of Stores, General Mills, NBC's hit TV Show “The Biggest Loser” and other key sponsors are partnering to donate up to $1,080,000 to Feeding America this year.

Here’s how you can help:
- Visit www.pfpchallenge.com/Kroger to make your pledge to lose weight and to get more information and to find tools to change your life for the better. It is free, easy and only takes a minute to make a change that can help you and help the hungry in your local community.

- Through June 30, 2010, for every pound you pledge to lose, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14¢ to Feeding America® — enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local food bank.

As the official supplier of the Biggest Loser Ranch and partner of the Pound for Pound Challenge, the Kroger Family of Stores wants to help you achieve your goals. If you’re a fan of the Biggest Loser, you may have seen several great General Mills products featured on the show. These products, including Yoplait Greek yogurt, Total, and Multigrain Cheerios, are available at your local Kroger Family of Stores and can help you stick to your weight management plan.

One of my lucky readers will win $30 in Kroger Family of Stores gift cards that you can use to purchase the General Mills products that have been featured on the Biggest Loser from the Kroger Family of Stores** through MyBlogSpark.

** The Kroger Family of Stores includes Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralph’s, King Soopers, City Market, Dillon's, Smith’s, Fry’s, QFC, Baker’s, Owen’s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Pay Less Super Markets and Scott’s Food & Pharmacy.

Want to win? Here's how!

1. Share how much you pledged to lose with the Pound for Pound challenge or how they will help spread the word about the Pound for Pound Challenge (Facebook, Invite a Friend, etc.)(1 entry daily, must leave a different idea per entry!!)

1.5 For extra bonus daily entries, Leave a comment and tell me one of your favorite healthy snacks (5 bonus entries per day, must be a different snack ideas)

2. Post a link to the giveaway on your blog and/or Facebook and report it here (1 entry)

3. Become a follower (link is on the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment here (or "remind" me you are already a follower so I know you want to be included in this giveaway) (1 entry)

The drawing will be held June 30th. Winner: I will send you an email, please reply with your address so I can forward it to the wonderful people at MyBlogSpark!

This giveaway is open to residents within the United States, no PO Boxes.

~ Wendi

The Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills were very generous and provided me with a $30 gift card and information through MyBlogSpark, and they are allowing me to host a giveaway for one additional gift card to a reader!

Celebrate With an Old Tradition: The KinderCone - Product Review

KinderCone
Product Sizes: Multiple Sizes and Varieties;
Recommended for Children of all ages
Products / Family / Celebration

Perfect for : Gift for child, Celebration of Graduation or First Day of School, Birthday Party, etc, Gift for Camp-bound child

My Thoughts: I think this is a wonderful new tradition to add to my family! Based on an old German tradition of Schultüte that Vivian Lie (founder KinderCone) has made easily adaptable, it helps us celebrate things like the first day of school, which can be scary for kids. The KinderCone is a sturdy and colorful cone that comes pre-filled with a journal for First Grade, a cat stuffed animal that is featured in the journal, pencils, temporary tattoos, and a numbered certificate (each theme is limited to 2500, which helps to make the cones even more special).

When the Red and Orange KinderCone arrived in the mail, I was so excited to see my son's reaction to it. He squealed and hugged it, then immediately pulled open the bow and started pulling things out, exclaiming over each thing. I can just imagine how great this will be to use on the first day of school... it will surely engage my son as well as his new friends! As a parent, it will be easy to further customize by adding treats for my son as well as his friends (erasers, candy, stickers, etc).

In all, the cone is a great way to keep track of special moments from your child's First Grade year (thanks to the included journal), as well as a great way for your child to make new friends by sharing pencils and temporary tattoos with other children. This would also be a great gift to send with your child to camp, just fill it with some fun treats for your child to share.

The KinderCone can also be purchased as a pre-decorated, limited edition cone that you can fill yourself, or as a Craft MiniCone, that you can help your child to decorate (great party idea!!) and fill! I hope to use the Craft MiniCones for a party in the near future - what a great way to build fun memories and send home a really fun "goody bag."

Things I Love About the KinderCone:
*Colorful
*Brings a smile to everyone's face
*Well-made
*Ability to purchase ready-to-give, or customize yourself
*Great way to introduce new traditions to your family
*Supports making new friends, which can be tough for kids

Challenges With The KinderCone:
*I'm finding it hard to stop imagining new ways to use the cones!

About KinderCone: (From the MomCentral Blog Tour)
Starting first grade marks a milestone in every child's life. While the prospect of learning and meeting new friends proves exciting for both children and their parents, embarking on something so new and unfamiliar can feel daunting, too. To help make this transition easier and more fun, young children in Austria and Germany are given a Schultüte, a cone made from sturdy, colorful paper and filled with treats and school supplies, as they leave home for the first day of first grade.
Born and raised in Munich, Germany, Vivian Lie was eager to share the tradition of Schultüte with others when she moved to the United States. In 2008, she founded KinderCone to spread the word about this 200-year-old tradition and to provide families with the opportunity to surprise their own children with Schultüten on their first day of school. With a variety of color themes and sizes, KinderCones make a wonderful back-to-school gift for any child, regardless of age.

Product Description (for the KinderCone Reviewed)

28 inch Red Kindercone with Orange Top

Includes: KinderJournal: Me, Myself and First Grade, Karli the Cat plush toy, 5 KinderCone pencils, KinderCone temporary tattoos and a limited-edition certificate.

Hand-made in Germany of recycled sturdy paper. KinderCones are 28 inches tall with a convenient hanging loop.

Each KinderCones is enclosed with colored felt on top and tied with our special ribbon; choose from 8 color options.

Every KinderCone comes filled with our exclusively written 5x7 KinderJournal, Karli, the cat, five pencils, temporary tattoos and a limited-edition certificate.

Make sure to celebrate school in a personal way and add you own small gift or note to tell your child just how proud you are!

Edition Reviewed: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCone and received a red with orange top KinderCone sample to facilitate my review. Mom Central also sent me gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate!

Life IS Too Short For... Can YOU Share Any Time-Saving Tips With Me? I've Posted a Few of My Own

I just read a post on Twitter Moms, and I've got to share my 10 cents and try to win a copy of the book Life is Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets: Your Ultimate Guide to Domestic Liberation by Lisa Quinn.

You see, I DO believe life is too short to make things too hard to accomplish (spotless windows just don't happen - especially with little fingers around that like to point to a squirrel or butterfly), and I want to concentrate on our family, not trying to impress the neighbors. That said, I don't want to feel embarrassed by my home either...

Life is to short for...
1. Spotless windows (um, I DO need to wash mine soon - we've lived here for over 4 years, and have yet to give them a good clean... it IS time, but I'm not going to make sure they are spotless)

2. Having perfect grass with no moss... lets face it, in the Seattle area where we have evergreen trees and lots of rain, you CAN'T get rid of the moss and keep it gone without paying a lawn company to do it, or without spending hours every month on lawn maintenance yourself. I don't have the extra money to pay to have it done, and I'd rather play on the extra cushy mossy lawn with my boys laughing by my side! (I was going to see what I could do about it, but let's face it... when everyone else's lawn is brown because of the hot weather that we do inevitably get for at least two weeks in summer, my lawn will still be nice and green in most areas because that darn moss can live through EVERYTHING!)

3. Washing the cars often... again - this is Seattle. If I wash the cars today, it will likely rain tonight and re-spot them anyway. Now I will admit, my husband pointed out the pollen that has now caked on the cracks of both our cars, so it might be time to give them a good scrub, but I'm not going to do it every weekend!

4. Ironing! Unless we are going to a wedding, it just doesn't happen... in fact I have a divided laundry hamper, and the third section that is hard to reach is specifically for those items that are dry-clean only or that need to be ironed! If something ends up in there, I DIDN'T buy it! I KNOW better. :) I don't like to iron... I've never understood why people iron their jeans (sorry to the 3 relatives I know who do this! Your jeans always look great, but I like mine wrinkled and comfy, plus I tried to iron them a few times, and only managed to iron in more creases!), or why they iron their pajamas (Grandma V - that one is for you! Yes - your nighties are beautiful, but when you put them on and sleep in them, you wrinkle them anyway... never really understood that one either).

I could really go on and on here, but instead, I'll share a few tips I've learned with the hopes that you'll leave a comment and give me some more!

Tip 1: Get those Lysol (or other brand like Costco) wipes - they make simple cleaning a breeze, and REALLY shorten the amount of time it takes to do a quick clean when you are having company over or someone calls to say they are just down the street.

Tip 2: Do a really good cleaning job throughout the house every other week instead of every week... lets face it, the dirt is just going to come back, and as long as the toilet and sink aren't turning pink, who will know anyway? Yikes - confession time here - I don't even do a GREAT job every other week!

Tip 3: When you are in a hurry, vacuum the open areas and do a quick sink/toilet clean - people are more likely to notice dirt on the floors and a dirty sink/toilet than to look for dust and cobwebs!

Here's the post from Twitter Moms:

Lisa Quinn, known as the House Doctor on the ABC San Francisco show, "View From the Bay", is out with a new book.."Life is Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets: Your Ultimate Guide To Domestic Liberation".

What else is life too short for?

Says Lisa Quinn:

1) Life is Too Short to Plant an organic garden of heirloom vegetables and flowers in the form of P for perfect.
Here's the brutal truth, Ladies, you can't have it all. Why would you even want it all? Consider the alternative for a moment. Consider a life without all this pressure, imagine having happiness, order, peace, and success in your life without all the drama. It begins by stepping away from perfectionism.

2) Life is Too Short to Judge Yourself by Other Mom's Opinions of You.
I met a busy mom of three the other day who in the midst of our conversation admitted that she sometimes skips out on playdates because she feels her clothes and the clothes of her kids don't measure up. I had a similar story to share. I bought a fake Chanel bag once, for certain occasions. I was always terrified that someone with a real Chanel bag was going to out me. It wasn't enough that I was outgoing and personable: I apparently needed a $2500 purse, too. It's not just fashion, it's everything. You've got to love the little zingers you get from the other moms who just want to help. "Oh...so you send Gillian to preschool...Well, I'm sure that makes it so much easier for you" or "Wow, you let him eat that?" or "Bless your heart, you're working so hard. It's no wonder you can't keep the house up." My favorite is, "You Look So Tired." How do you even respond to that? Should you apologize?

BTW, I still have that fake purse. It sits on a shelf in my closet stuffed with plastic bags to help keep its shape. I hang on to it to remind myself what a knucklehead I can be.

3) Life is Too Short to Say Yes.
Are you a yes-woman? Do you consent without even processing the request? Do you agree to volunteer (again) then instantly dread the whole process? Do you feel guilty when you say no?
Thinking you are a bad person for saying no is a symptom of the 'disease to please.' I say take care of the ones you love and shamelessly deny the rest. It may be difficult at first, but after a while, you'll see the payoff: more time and less dread. Just say no. And when you do say no, keep your answer short. Lengthy justifications just make it seem like you are lying. A drawn- out response might also give you time to start feeling guilty and say yes--especially if you are lying.

Moms: What do you think life is too short for? Blog your responses to win a free copy of Lisa's book for review and mention on your site by answering the question and posting a link to your blog post in the comments section below.

LOL - sadly, I've got THAT purse in my closet too! Glad I'm not the only one, and I just might donate it this weekend - it never did make me happy. I'm also one of those yes-people who has trouble saying no to anything... need to really work on that one as my time gets soaked up by things I don't want to do.

How about you? Do you have any tips for taking back your time so you can spend it doing the things that really count?

Giveaway and Info: Yoplait Greek Yogurt "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" Gift Pack

I don't know about you, but Greek Yogurt is one of my favorite treats... and in the past it has really been a treat as I've had to go to special grocery stores to find it (organic, the local PCC co-op grocer, etc) and I am so excited to hear that Yoplait is bringing it's own Greek Yogurt to grocery stores in four great flavors: Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain.

I haven't been able to pick any up at my local grocer YET, but I check for it every time I go to the store! Greek yogurt seems thicker to me, and usually has a more refined flavor - lol - by that, to me, it is less sugary-sweet, and more flavorful. It also seems creamier than normal yogurts.

According to Yoplait's website:

Dig into something divinely thick and creamy. Yoplait Greek has double the protein than the leading yogurt and 0% fat in every serving. Plus it’s the only leading brand of Greek yogurt with vitamins A and D in every cup. Get your spoons ready and choose from four delicious flavors!

At my son's last doctor's visit, he told me that Vitamin D is especially important to supplement for those of us who live here in the Seattle area as we don't get enough from the sun even during summer!!! So... I've been looking for ways to increase my family's Vitamin D, and this is a great way.

From Yoplait via MyBlogSpark: With 12 grams of protein -- twice that found in leading yogurts-- new Yoplait Greek nourishes from the inside out. Available in four delicious flavors, Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain, the brand´s newest offering has a unique thick and creamy texture with the unmatched taste expected of Yoplait.

To celebrate its new Greek yogurt and to encourage women to nourish their inner goddess, Yoplait has teamed up with actress Izabella Miko, who plays Greek Goddess Athena in the epic adventure new Warner Bros. Pictures´ and Legendary Pictures´ film "Clash of the Titans," in theatres April 2 in 3D.

You can also visit
http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=62092&ci=1&c=GM&p=aI8UZzdb to download a coupon* and save $0.30 on one cup of new Yoplait Greek today!

One of my lucky readers will win a "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack courtesy of Yoplait via MyBlogSpark. *This coupon offer for a free cup of Yoplait Greek yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.



Want to win? Here's how!

1. Leave a comment and tell me which of the flavors you would most like to try! (1 entry)

1.5 For extra bonus daily entries, share a creative way you like to pamper yourself - bonus points for easy spa type recipes or treats (5 bonus entries per day, must be a different recipe)

2. Post a link to the giveaway on your blog and/or Facebook and report it here (1 entry)

3. Become a follower (link is on the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment here (or "remind" me you are already a follower so I know you want to be included in this giveaway) (1 entry)

The drawing will be held May 15th. Winner: I will send you an email, please reply with your address so I can forward it to the wonderful people at MyBlogSpark!

This giveaway is open to residents within the United States, no PO Boxes.

~ Wendi

Yoplait was very generous and provided me with a gift pack and information through MyBlogSpark, and they are allowing me to host a giveaway for one additional gift pack to a reader!

Review and Tour: The Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough

My thoughts: What a fun book... even the cover is fun and flirty, in a late 1880's Western kind of way. :) Right from the start, Luke seemed a bit stand-offish and guarded, as he returned to Lookout, Texas, the place he had grown up, had his heart broken years before, and where he was now the new town Marshall. The bonus - he's got cousins that live there, who are excited to see him back, and who want to help him get over Rachel, his one time love... and they plan to do it by ordering him a mail order bride!

We also get to meet Rachel, who had loved Luke, but betrayed him by marrying another man. Right from the start of the story, you get the idea that she didn't necessarily chose to marry James, but rather didn't really have a choice.

Luke's cousins don't stop at getting him just one mail-order bride, but instead get three! And when they each show up needing somewhere to stay, they end up at Rachel's boardinghouse, where she finds herself a little upset with the idea of Luke marrying one of the "Boardinghouse Brides" as they are called.

It is decided that there will be a contest, and the woman who wins will become Luke's bride. Rachel's daughter "Jack" decides that she wants Luke to be her new Daddy, so talks her into entering the contest anonymously, and that is when the fun really starts!

What a fun, light-hearted and entertaining book... I can't wait for the next book in The Boarding House Brides series. One of the best things about the book was that it Christian Fiction / Romance, but done in a subtle way that is not pushy, but rather supporting within the story.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Anonymous BrideBarbour Publishing, Inc. (April 1, 2010)

byVickie McDonough

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author Vickie McDonough believes God is the ultimate designer of romance. She loves writing stories where the characters find their true love and grow in their faith.

Vickie has had 18 books published. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and is currently serving as ACFW treasurer. Vickie has also been a book reviewer for nine years.

She is a wife of thirty-five years, mother of four sons, and grandmother to a feisty four-year-old girl. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling.

ABOUT THE BOOK

How many brides does one man need?

It's been years, but Luke Davis is back--older and wiser--and still alone. Returning as Lookout's new town marshal, Luke is determined to face the past and move on. He flippantly tells his cousin he'd get married if the right woman ever came along. But then he discovers that the woman who betrayed him is now a widow, and all his plans fall at his feet.

Rachel has carried her guilty shame for eleven years. Her marriage to James Hamilton was not what Luke or the town thought it to be. Now James is dead, and her long-time love for Luke is reignited with his return to town. So when three mail-order brides appear, she panics.

Could they possible find love a second time?

Rachel begs his forgiveness, but Luke finds he has none to give.

And then the brides arrive. Three of them--ordered for Luke through newspaper ads by his incorrigible cousins. The only place in town for them to stay is Rachel's boardinghouse. And none of the ladies is willing to let Luke go. When choosing a bride becomes a contest, the chaos that ensues is almost funny.

When the mayor forces Luke to pick a bride or lose his job, will Luke listen to his heart that still longs for Rachel or choose one of the mail-order brides?

Will Rachel find the courage to tell Luke that she loves him? Or take an anonymous part in the contest for his hand?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Anonymous Bride, go HERE.